In their attempts to understand the nature of musicianship, music psychologists have generally focused their attention on cognitive processes and abilities. Although a kind of folklore has long existed in musical circles relating to personality differences between players of different instruments, this is the first book to examine the impact of personality and temperament on musicianship. After an introductory chapter which summarizes the relevant personality theories, the book deals with each fact of the musicians' personality in turn: introversion, independence, sensitivity, anxiety, and gender issues. Different forms of musicianship (such as orchestral playing, singing and conducting) are considered next, to clarify the ways in which specific skills impact upon personality development or predispose a person towards different instruments and styles of performance.
Reviews
a landmark in the literature of music psychology ... The book is significant in its scope, detail, and depth of analysis ... provides an excellent overview of the approaches to the assessment and measurement of personality with a lucid comparison of some of the primary personality constructs ... an excellent balance among a variety of sources of data is maintained throughout ... an important contribution to the psychology of music literature ... The scholarship is excellent and the writing style is often eloquent. The book is significant in its breadth of content and scope of coverage. * Charles P. Schmidt, Indiana University, International Journal of Music Education *
This is a significant book which deserves to become the authoritative textbook in its field ... an interesting account which offers rears some new insights into musician ship, music education and music. * Janet Mills, British Journal of Music Education, Vol. 13, 1996 *
The text in question is without doubt the most comprehensive and carefully researched work on all aspects of the musical temperament that has ever been produced. Kemp's book combines a degree of intuition supported by a strong platform of scientific rigour and psychometric expertise. Kemp's text is a genuine tour de force, the only text of its type and a monument to half a lifetime's commitment to this particular topic. The text is carefully researched, meticulously prepared and painstakingly presented. This is a major work, indeed the major work, on the psychology of the musical personality to date. I cannot imagine anyone who is involved in teaching psychology courses, in which the musical personality features, not giving Kemp's book centre stage. It is not an easy read but it is meticulous and comprehensive. Tony Kemp is to be congratulated on this monumental piece of work. * John Booth Davies, University of Strathclyde, Psychology of Music, 1997, 25 *
'...He presents his insights in a clear and well-organized narrative that will interest graduate students and professionals in music and psychology...' * E.Franklin, Choice *



Book Information
ISBN 9780198523628
Author Anthony E. Kemp
Format Paperback
Page Count 296
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 442g
Dimensions(mm) 234mm * 156mm * 17mm